John Wilkinson: I won’t let this club die

John Wilkinson today vowed to try and do everything in his power to guarantee Salford City Reds’ survival. The club’s chairman, who has been at the helm for 31 years and earned the name Mr Salford, has admitted to M.E.N. Sport he could foresee the major financial problems now facing the Reds but says he was powerless to prevent them.

John Wilkinson today vowed to try and do everything in his power to guarantee Salford City Reds’ survival. The club’s chairman, who has been at the helm for 31 years and earned the name Mr Salford, has admitted to M.E.N. Sport he could foresee the major financial problems now facing the Reds but says he was powerless to prevent them.

And Wilkinson has also acknowledged he has been been in charge of the Super League team too long.

Salford are in danger of not being able to field a team for the start of the new season in February following the collapse of a proposed rescue bid by Salford Council and Peel Holdings.

Wilkinson revealed to fans at a meeting on Monday night that the club need an immediate £600,000 investment to pay off all debts.

The Rugby Football League are thought to be talking to a possible new investor, while Wilkinson has spoken to local businessmen Fred Done and Ged Morson in a bid to get them on board.

But with season tickets still not on sale, a transfer embargo hanging over the club and their bank accounts frozen, coach Phil Veivers faces a battle just to get a side on the pitch for their opening match against Wigan Warriors on February 4.

“We must fight on and keep this club alive in Salford,” said Wilkinson. “I am not happy with the current situation and we badly need new investment. Right now, the priority is trying to find cash in the short term.

“I could see the current situation coming. A lot of clubs are struggling – these are very tough times.

“People must realise I have always given my all to this club and will continue to do so.

“I have never taken a wage and have devoted half my life to keeping the club going.

“I care passionately for Salford and the club’s fans.

“We want to start the new season. I obviously cannot give guarantees at this stage but I know there is interest in the club from potential new investors. Let’s just hope it materialises.

“I spoke to Fred and Ged because they are Salford people but, unfortunately, they just can’t commit to us.

“It’s hard and it may become even harder, but we must stick together. This is a critical time. It is all about keeping the club in Salford and that’s my mission.”

If Salford don’t start the new Super League campaign, they may have to drop out of the top flight or go into administration – prospects which horrify Wilkinson.

“I honestly do not think it is feasible and realistic for us to drop down to the Championship and try building again,” he said. “And I would hate to see the club go into administration.

“Administration is the very last thing I want at this stage.

“This time last week, it looked as if both Salford city Council and Peel Holdings had a real genuine desire to take over the club. I was bitterly disappointed when they didn’t.

“It was definitely the best possible deal for the club and myself and the board were happy to step down.

“I have said for some time now I cannot be in charge for ever. We can go back some years to when three parties came forward but nothing came of that.

“I have been duty-bound ever since to do the best I can.”

Salford left their traditional home at The Willows at the start of last season to move into the new £16m Salford City Stadium, which they now share with Sale Sharks.

The club needed to average gates of around 8,000 to break even at their new home, although they fell well short. And Wilkinson – who owns the Wilkinson Star welding company – admits the move has hit their finances. John Wilkinson's hope for new Salford Reds deal

“We left a lot of lucrative schemes behind us when we left The Willows such as good sponsorships with breweries and other parties,” he revealed.

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing but we really needed a better final season at The Willows than the one we had before we left for Barton.

“No one could have predicted what would happen off the field that season. The coach was sick at the start. What happened with Mal Alker was well documented in his book and we spent more than ever on players. It just did not happen for us. Barton was then the only suitable site for us. We thought it was an opportunity with great potential.

“The real income stream we have at Barton is what we get through the terraces. We still need 8,000 fans at home games.

“We no longer have the options open to us as we had at The Willows.

“We are in a worrying situation right now and we somehow need to try and find a positive way forward.

“In the past, I could always support the club with my businesses, but this was prior to the economic downturn.”

Wilkinson knows things could have been far different and possibly far better for the Reds had they owned their owned stadium, as initially planned.

“Myself and my vice chairman Howard Clague each lost around £800,000 when a potential developer pulled out.

“I had earlier turned down the chance for the club to play at Manchester City’s former Maine Road ground.

“I had to try and keep the club in Salford and Barton was the only suitable site.”

Wilkinson also realises Salford could have done better on the field.

Many fans have questioned the role of football director Steve Simms, but Wilkinson is quick to defend the Aussie.

“Steve has a very important role to play for us and is not responsible for signing players,” said Wilkinson.

“This is always down to the coach as to who comes in and plays for us.”

The club’s Forever Reds fans group have already come forward expressing an interest to raise what would be seen as a fighting fund, something which gives Wilkinson a boost.

“It is encouraging and typical of these people,” he said.

“I know I can trust the people involved in Forever Reds. They are honest and, like me, they care genuinely for this club’s best interests.

“We have to get the club moving forward again. I am talking to people all the time.

“MP Hazel Blears, who is a good friend of mine, is also coming up with suggestions.